Permanent copy of sound-records or the like.



No. 666,819. Patented ln. 29, |901.

' .1. K. REYNARD. PERMANENT COPY 0F SUND RECRDS'R THELIKE.

(Ap'puction mea Feb. s, 1900.1

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No. 666,8I9. Patented 1an. 29, |90I. J. K. REYNARD. PERMANENT COPY 0FSOUND RECORDS 0R THEILIKE.

(Application led Feb. 5, 1900.)

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J. K. REYNARD. PERMANENT COPY 0F SOUND BECRDSAOR THE LIKE.

(Application led Feb. 5, 1900.)

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UNITED STATES i PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES K. REYNARD, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICANGRAPI-IOPI-IONE COM OF COLUMBIA.

PANY, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT PERMANENT COPY OF SOUND-RECORDS OR THELIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 666,819, dated January29, 1901.

Application filed February 5, 1900. Serial No. 4,004. (No specimens.)

To a/ZZ whom, t may concern.:

Be it known that I, JAMES K. REYNARD, of Newark, New Jersey, haveinvented a new and useful Improvementin Permanent Copies ofSound-Records or the Like, which is fully set forth in the followingspecification.

This invention relates to permanent or indestructible copies of surfacescontaining minute irregularities, such as sound-records; and it consistsin the employment of certain steps that are of great advantage inproducing such copies commercially, and particularly in the method ofbuilding up a substantial yet faithful matrix, in building up asubstantial celluloid structure containing the permanent copy, and inthe improved matrix and permanent copy produced by the novel steps of myimproved process.

Briefiy stated, the new process is as follows: The matrix is firstformed in any approved manner, but preferably as hereinafter described.It is then mounted, preferably in a manner to be described, forconvenience in handling, after which it is separated from the master.The permanent or indestructible copy is then formed by first coating thesurface of this matrix with a thin film of liquid or semiliquidcelluloid, which ultimately constitutes the outer surface of thepermanent copy, next placing on this celluloid film when dry a film ofsome suitable adhesive material, such as chromatized gelatin, and then'coat-A ing the surface of this adhesive film with a second celluloidfilm. These alternate steps may be repeated, if desired. A convenientsupport or backing may be supplied to this built-up structure, and thematrix and its mounting are nally removed. f Y

The application of this invention is not limited to any particular shapeof article to be copied, but will be described at length as applied toproducing a permanent copy of the ordinary cylindrical sound-record forgraphophones, (or phonographs.) It will be best understood by referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which- Figures l to l0 are sectionalviews, and Fig. 11 an elevation, illustrating the successive steps andshowing the films or layers considerably exaggerated.

The matrix is by preference formed as follows: I first coat the master lwith a thin film 2 of some suitable material that will not injuriouslyaffect the material of which the master is composed and that can receiveand retain a true copy in reverse of the minute irregularities to becopied. I prefer a solution of gelatin, preferably chromatized gelatin.This coating is allowed to dry gradually and evenly, so as to leave auniform film 2 over the whole surface to be copied. (See Fig. l.) Thisconstitutes the true matrix and is a hard horny film of great toughness.When this film 2 is thoroughly dry, it is exposed to the sunlight, whichgives it a somewhat-clouded appearance, the actinic rays hardening it.The matrix has then to be supplied with a mounting. Where gelatin isused, I nd it convenient to coat the gelatin film with a varnish, asshellac 3, (see Fig. 2,) and when this coat 3 is dry I apply a coatingof some suitable material, such as Wax, hereinafter referred to, afterwhich the Whole structure is fitted with a metal holder 4 forconvenience in handling. (See Fig. 4.) The shellac serves a threefoldpurpose. It clasps the gelatin film closely and truly to the surface ofthe master and prevents it from blistering off and from warping orwrinkling when removed from the master, the alcohol in the shellacaffects the gelatin iilm, rendering it slightly elastic and less brittleand liable to crack, and the wax mixture of which the backing for thematrix is preferably formed will adhere to shellac more readily than tothe gelatin. A second coat of shellac may be applied, if desired. For areason to be explained later I find it convenient to apply to the matrixa first coat 5 of fine Wax,'

(see Fig. 3,) and then a thicker layer 6 of a mixture of beeswax androsin in equal proportions. (See Fig. et.) This outer coat 6 is turnedto a true cylinder, Wrapped with a strip of paper a, Fig. 4, and fittedneatly into a metal cylinder Ll. After the complete matrix is thus builtup the original master 'is broken away or otherwise removed. This may bedone conveniently, as shown in Fig. 5, by cutting from the interior ofthe origi nal master grooves 7, that reach nearly but IOO not quitethrough its wall to the matrix. For this purpose I place the metalcylinder containing the master and the complete matrix in a seat b toprevent it from slipping and then use a saw whose cutting portion c ismuch thinner than its back d and is of a depth-less than the thicknessof the wall of the original master, the rib d preventing it from cuttingtoo deep, so as to injure the matrix. I cut upon the inner side of themaster two adjacent grooves, so as to remove a V- shaped piece. Thiskeystone being thus removed, I saw other grooves on either side of thisnotch and readily remove the intervening portions of the wall of theoriginal master, taking care to brush o all particles of dust, ac., fromthe matrix-surface. This matrix is now available for producing copies,permanent or otherwise, in any desirable manner from any suitablematerial.

One of the purposes of the present invention is to produce a celluloidcopy more substantial than those hitherto produced.

If a sheet of ordinary celluloid be softened, as by steam, and pressedagainst the matrix, it tends to break down the minute irregularities tobe copied, and small particles of foreign matter or even of air wouldpreventthe celluloid from entering into intimate connection andreceiving a true copy, and, besides, the heat would in many cases affectthe matrix.. If celluloid in a solution be flowed upon the surface ofthe matrix to an appreciable thickness, the volatile medium (ether oralcohol) evaporates so rapidly that an outer crust is formed, while theinner mass retains its semiiuid consistency for a long time andultimately dries with great unevenness, forming a spongy porousstructure. The last portion to dry is that next the matrix, which shouldform the true record-surface, and under these circumstances it presentsa pitted smallpox appearance, and finally it has been foundimpracticable to build up a celluloid structure by repeated deposits oflm, for the reason that as each deposit dries the film so formed drawsaway from the one beneath it for want of sufficient cohesion. Itherefore proceed as follows: I iirst iow over the surface of the matrix2 (or otherwise apply, as `by dipping) a solution of celluloid,(preferably with a suitable thinner, such as the ordinary cement fillersold on the market, being about a one-per-cent. solution of celluloid,)forming an exceedingly-thin lilm 8, Fig. 6, which eventually constitutesthe outer or record surface of the permanent copy. This film 8 is soininitesimally thin and delicate that it bears on its exposed face (away'from the matrix) a practical duplicate of the irregularsurface of thematrix. In other words, its thickness is less than the height or depthof the minute irregularities to be copied. After it is thoroughly andevenly dried this celluloid lm 8 is coated with a film 9 (see Fig. 7) ofsome suitable adhesive material that can be handled readily, (preferablyasolution, )that will adhere faithfully to celluloid, and that hassubstantially the same coefficient of expansion as celluloid. Thechromatized-gelatin solution has all these properties and may beadvantageously used. This second or adhesive film 9 is almost as thin asthe celluloid film 8, bearing on its exposed face to some extent areproduction of the matrix. I then iow the celluloid solution (this timeby preference somewhat stronger-say a ten-per-cent. solution) on thefilm 9, forming a second celluloid lilm 10, which is allowed to dry asbefore. (See Fig. S.) These alternate steps may be repeated, if desired.The structure thus built up by alternate films of celluloid and gelatinis practically to all intents and purposes a homogeneous celluloidstructure. Itvmay be provided with a backing in any convenientmanner,-as by pouring into the cylinder around-a central mandrel meltedWax, beeswax, rosin, 85e., ll/(see Fig. 9) or the interior of thecelluloid structure may be coated with a beeswax and rosin mixture 12,which is reamed out to a predetermined taper, after which au ordinarysoapmixture cylinder 13, turned to the same exterior taper, is wrappedwith a blank e of paper or the like of the proper shape and size andthen inserted into the celluloid structure. The beeswax and rosinmixture is best for the filling between the tapered soap-mixturecylinder and the celluloid cylinder, since it is Y homogeneous, fusingreadily at a low temperature, is easily handled, and has about the samecoefficient of expansion as the celluloid. The wrapping e preventsfriction in inserting the tapered cylinder and if of paper is anon-conductor of heat between the soap material and the wax mixture.Last ot all the matrix is removed and the permanent copy is finished andready for use. The metal roo cylinder 4 is first removed and the paper e'f unwrapped, then the built-up cylinder (see Fig. 1l) is placed on amandrel, and the beeswax and rosin coat 6 is turned olif with a knifeuntil the lighter-colored fresh wax 5 IIO gives warning that thecelluloid is being apy' preached. This layer 5 is pulled off by hand,and finally the shellac and gelatin films 3 and 2 are readily peeled o.

In general, all solutions should be strained from impurities and allair-.bubbles removed,

the article should be of approximately the same temperature as thesolution that is being applied, and the temperature should remain asuniform as `possible throughout the entire process. It is necessary thateach film or coating should dry thoroughly and evenly. If it dry toofast, itis liable to pull away from the surface beneath it, and if itdry too slowly it may dry unevenly and become warped or wrinkled. Aneven temperature is more readily maintained by having a warm room.

When .the original that is to be copied is other than al cylinder, ofcourse appropriate changes will be made, as in the shape of the metalholder for the.l matrix, if` one. be employed. Of course the Wax backingof the matrix Will not be turned to a cylinder, and equally of coursethe mounting for the celluloid copy will not be made of the taperedcylinder described. I do not limit myself to the exact steps described,as I have merely set forth the best methods. Parts of my invention maybe used to the exclusion of other parts without departing from thespirit of my invention.

I claim- 1. The herein-described process of forming a permanent orindestructible copy, which consists in first coating the original masterwith a solution of some suitable material that can receive and retain atrue copy in reverse of the minute irregularities to be copied, thencoating this film when dry with a suitable varnish, next providing thisvarnish with a suitable backing, then removing the original master fromthe matrix so built u p, afterward coating this matrix-surface withalternate ilms of celluloid solution and of some suitable adhesivesubstance, next applying a suitable backing for this built-up celluloidstructure, and tin-ally removing the matrix, substantially as described.

2. The herein-described process of forming a permanent or indestructiblecopy, which consists in first coating the original master with a gelatinsolution, next coating this gelatin film when dry with shellac, nextproviding this shellac with a suitable backing as a Wax mixture, thenremoving the original master from the matrix so built up, afterwardcoating this matrix-surface with a lm of a thin celluloid solution, thencoating this celluloid film when dry with a thin film of gelatinsolution, next applying a second celluloid iilm to the gelatin lm, thenapplying a suitable backing for this built-up celluloid structure, andfinally removing the matrix, substantially as described.

3. The method of forming a permanent copy, consisting of depositing on asuitable matrix alternate films produced thereon by the evaporation of acelluloid solution and a solution of some .suitable adhesive material,and then applying a suitable backing to support this built-up celluloidstructure, substantially as described.

4. The method of forming a matrix or re- Verse copy, consisting of firstforming on the surface to be copied a film resulting from theevaporation thereon of some suitable material, next varnishing thisfilm, and then applying to the varnish a suitable backing, substantiallyas described.

5. The method of forming a matrix or reverse copy, consisting of firstforming on the surface to be copied a film resulting from theevaporation thereon ofa solution of .chromatized gelatin, next applyingto this film a coating of shellac, and then applying to the shellac asuitable backing as a Wax mixture, substantially as described.

6. The method of building up a permanent or indestructible copy of asound-record or the like, consisting in first applying to the surface tobe copied a thin solution of celluloid, next applying to this celluloidfilm when dry a solution of some suitable adhesive material aschromatized gelatin, and then applying to this adhesive film When dryastronger solution of celluloid and letting it dry, substantially asdescribed.

7. The method of building up a permanent or indestructible copy of asound-record or the like, consisting in first applying to the surface tobe copied a solution of celluloid, next applying to this celluloid filmwhen dry a solution of some suitable adhesive material, and thenapplying to this adhesive film when dry a solution of celluloid andletting it dry, substantially as described.

8. The herein-described matrix, consisting of a film of gelatin,abacking of some suitable material, and an interposed layer of varnishuniting them, substantially as described.

9. The herein-described built-up celluloid sound-record, the sameconsisting of alternate lms of celluloid and of a suitable adhesivematerial, and containing on its outer surface irregularitiescorresponding to soundwaves.

In testimony whereof I have signed this speciication in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

JAMES K. REYNARD. Witnesses:

VICTOR H. EMERSON, FRANK L. CAPPs.

